The Indexer is an international journal of indexing that comes out four times a year and addresses issues pertinent to back-of-the-book and online indexing. Topics include reviews of indexing software, articles on the history of indexing, tips on creating indexing websites, references to training and courses, and much more.

A regular section called "Around the World" provides a roundup of indexing happenings and events. The latest "Around the World" was edited by eminent Australian indexer, Glenda Browne, with the topic "How indexers use social media in their indexing careers".

Also,

Tim Brookes: Author of "Thirty Percent Chance Of Enlightenment" (Buy it)

Tim Brookes, musician, world traveler, and professor at Champlain College in Vermont, is the author of numerous books including the cult classic, "Hell of a Place to Lose a Cow." He has been a contributor to National Public Radio for years and reprints some of his NPR pieces every Sunday on his website at www.timbrookesinc.com.

Tim's latest book is "Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment" -- published in the fall of 2009 through the Champlain College Publishing Initiative. Publishing in this manner allowed his students to learn about the publishing of a manuscript from
A—Z.

When a sample of the text was offered to Linked-In group members, I expressed avid interest. I was then graciously provided a PDF of the whole megillah. Having enjoyed myself so thoroughly reading the book and wanting to thank Tim for the opportunity (and for being such a fabulous writer!), I offered to index it for him.

Tim will be including my index in the next edition of his book. After reviewing the index, he wrote : "I'm touched, almost overwhelmed. This is a remarkable document, and it's just stunning that anyone should pay such close attention to my story and my work. I can't thank you enough."

Oh, p'shaw - it was a pleasure!

Review on Amazon.com:

Travel writer Tim Brookes began his assignment with National Geographic magazine intending to enlighten himself and his readers about weather forecasting in South India. Finding himself barred from the official national weather stations, Brookes was forced to change his plans. With the help of Faith (a spiritual tour guide) he decided to save the assignment by continuing his research in a more informal manner, touring the land in order to interview regular citizens about their experiences with the monsoon.

On his road (and canal) trip through Southern India, Brookes not only got the local scoop about the monsoon but he also gained unexpected enlightenment about the perils of traveling in an auto-rickshaw, combatting relentless mosquitoes with grace, and relying on the game of cricket as a grounding tool.

Readers of "Thirty Percent" also gain unexpected enlightenment, through learning the history of weather, getting insight into how different countries deal with forecasting (newsflash - not every country is as weather-obsessed as the US) and through acquiring a deeper respect for the role of water in all our lives.

The text is so enjoyable not only because it is witty in that British-humor manner and not just because Brookes has such a warm style, but because it is written in such an absorbing way that readers feel like they're right there with the author, experiencing the events as a companion. Readers share Brooke's frustration and disappointment with the India Meteorological Department, the fear of imminent nuclear war between India and Pakistan, and delight in discovering exotic ways to bring about rain, such as the marriage of donkeys and plowing fields in the nude.

Read "Thirty Percent Chance of Enlightenment" and meet the combat weathermen; wonder at the girl who married a banana tree; and follow the recipe provided to make your own version of the Indian delicacy known as "payasam." Don't read the book too quickly, though. Savor it, take your time, and the journey will affect your dreams. And, if the book intrigues you enough to want to travel in Tim Brooke's footsteps, do contact Windows on the World Travel - Faith turns out to be as wonderful as she is portrayed.

Oma's story is partly a travelogue - she tells what it was like to traverse the southwest by car in the years before the second World War, with descriptions of sleeping on the side of the road, searching for radiator water in the desert, and working odd jobs along the way to raise gas money. "Oma" is also a fascinating look at just what went on in the brush arbor revivals that were commonly held in the early 20th century - the kind which featured speaking in tongues and holy laughter and water baptism solely in the name of Jesus.

Additionally, "Oma" is a success story -- enduring misogyny, slander, and prejudice, Oma became a highly respected preacher at a time when female ministers were viewed as an anomaly. At its core, however, "Oma" is a book of inspiration meant to promote devotion and faith. In this, it succeeds admirably, no doubt leaving many a reader with the urge to shout, "hallelujah" at the book's conclusion, in praise of the awesome Oma Francis Ellis.

Review posted at Amazon.com:

To say one compiles an index is not encouraged, because of the connotation of a computer compiling information. That is, to compile an index makes it seem like a mechanical, not a human, activity.

A specialist in books on yarn work says she crafts an index, while the cookbook expert proclaims she prepares indexes. One indexer with a legal background likes to think of himself as drawing an index, as one would draw up a will. Then there is the poetry fan, who composes indexes.

Some might think it is easiest just to state that indexers write an index and leave it at that, but there is resistance to that wording as well, with the reason being given that the action of indexing is not the same kind of endeavor as writing a thesis or a novel or even a letter.

Because there is no consensus, it may be said that what indexers do for a living is to create an index, for there seems to be no strenuous objection to that term. However, index developer may be a good candidate for promotion, as it goes along the lines of web developer and program developer in this computer age.

As one contributor to Index-L stated, maybe we should just think of indexing as akin to the act of the parting the Red Sea, "It's part reading, it's part analysis, it's part writing, it's part just typing, it's part creative editing, it's part agonizing, it's part swearing, it's part . . ."

a) Smith, Sister Mary
b) Sister Mary (Smith)
c) Mary (Smith), Sister

The answer, according to consensus on Indexers Discussion List, is to double-post choice "a" and choice "c." All agree -- do not enter under "Sister."

The main usefulness of this oldie-but-goodie is in the section which describes how to create an index using index cards, i.e. ye old "shoe box" method. Newbie indexers will not yet have spent money on one of the three main indexing software programs, but they still have to complete their assignments. What to do? They can download demo versions of the modern software, but they will have to contend with the learning curve. For those students who just want to learn indexing first, without learning the software at the same time, indexing with indexing cards is the way to go.

The shortness of this book is also a comfort to the beginning indexer, because there is not so much information included as to overwhelm the user. The book was written for British indexers, but an American indexer will be able to make use of the information with no problem. Finally, the book's own index is the perfect length for a book of its size, and so serves as a useful guide for those beginners wondering how long their own practice indexes should be.

Review posted at Amazon.com:

Eligibility Requirements

The index should be a browsable hyperlinked A to Z index, i.e., similar to a back of the book index.

Created by humans, either an individual or a team.

Publicly accessible on the Web at the time of submission, but could have been created at any time in the past.

There is no minimum size requirement. However, a web site index that is too small cannot adequately demonstrate its quality. A larger web site index is likely to be more highly rated than a small one all other factors being equal.

Entries are open to members of the Web Indexing SIG and its partner organization, the Information Architecture Institute (IAI). Members of other indexing societies are eligible to enter by joining the Web Indexing SIG (ASI, ISC, SI, ANZSI, DNI, NIN, ASAIB, and China Society of Indexers).

Up to two web site indexes per indexer is allowed.

Entries to the 2009 awards are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Friday 27th March 2009.

Submission Guidelines and Submission Forms are available at the Web Indexers Special Interest Group Website.